Season 3

Season 3
Season	3
Episodes	25
Aired from	September 19, 1996 - May 15, 1997
Premiere	The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy
Finale	The One At The Beach
Other seasons
← Previous	"Season 2"
Next →	"Season 4"

The third season of Friends aired from September 19, 1996 to May 15, 1997.

Season summary

This season took on a significantly greater serialized format.

Ross and Rachel's relationship continues smoothly for a while however Rachel tires of working at Central Perk and wants to finally get a job in the fashion industry. During her search she meets Mark Robinson, who helps her to get a job at Bloomingdale's as their employer's second assistant. Ross immediately becomes jealous and suspicious of Mark, convinced that Mark only helped Rachel to get the job so he could steal her from Ross. Rachel attempts to convince him that he's got nothing to worry about and Ross tries to contain his jealousy but to no avail. This leads to a massive argument between them and Rachel tells Ross that she thinks they should take a break, something that she immediately regrets. Ross, upset, goes out and ends up sleeping with the hot girl from the copy shop, Chloe.

Rachel quickly regrets her suggestion and the two make up, however she quickly learns that Ross slept with someone else and, devastated, ends their relationship. The two blame each other for the break-up, putting their friends in the middle of the situation. It is so stressful that Chandler, who's having a very hard time dealing with the situation as it reminds him of his parents' divorce, takes up smoking again.

Phoebe, established as having no family except for an identical twin sister, becomes acquainted with her half-brother, Frank Jr. She is upset when he decides to marry one of his high school teachers due to the massive age difference, but eventually has no choice but to accept the relationship. In the season finale, she learns that the woman she thought was her biological mother actually wasn't and meets her actual birth mother, Phoebe Abbott.

Joey develops a crush on Kate Miller, his acting partner in a new play. At first, she doesn't harbor feelings for him, even after sleeping together. After her boyfriend/director dumps her following a scathing review of the play, she turns to Joey for support. The relationship doesn't last long, as she is given an opportunity on a soap opera in Los Angeles.

Monica begins a relationship with Pete Becker, a millionaire who has a crush on her. At first, she only sees him as a friend. But eventually, he wins her heart. Monica prepares for what she thinks is a marriage proposal, but is disappointed when Pete confides in her that he wants to become the Ultimate Fighting Champion. After seeing him get beat up badly in two matches, she tells him he has to give it up. Since he won't, she breaks up with him.

Ross and Rachel slowly rebuild their friendship, but continue to fight their lingering feelings for each other. Ross starts dating Bonnie, a formerly bald friend of Phoebe's, which upsets Rachel. On their vacation at a beach house, Rachel convinces Bonnie to shave her head again. When Ross confronts her about this, Rachel admits she's still in love with him and the two kiss. Season 3 ends with Ross trying to decide between Rachel and Bonnie.

Cast

Main Cast

• Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Greene
• Courteney Cox as Monica Geller
• Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay/Ursula Buffay ("The One With The Jam")
• Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani
• Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing
• David Schwimmer as Ross Geller

Recurring Cast

• Maggie Wheeler as Janice
• Jon Favreau as Pete Becker
• Steven Eckholdt as Mark Robinson
• Angela Featherstone as Chloe
• Giovanni Ribisi as Frank Buffay Jr.
• Dina Meyer as Kate Miller

Trivia/Goofs

• Interestingly, this is the only season without a two-part episode. However, "The One With The Morning After" can be considered a continuation of "The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break".
• The opening title sequence in this season differs from others in that Rachel and Chandler are seen to jump onto the side of the fountain. Also the characters all hold different coloured umbrellas to the normal title sequence (Rachel has an orange one while Ross has a blue for example) at the start.
• The position of the radiator in the hallway changes from by the step to under the little window at the top of the stairs.  

See also

• Friends: The Complete Third Season
• Season 3 Characters
• Episodes

Episode List

#	Total	Image	Title	Writer	Director	Original Airdate
1	49		"The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy"	Michael Curtis & Greg Malins	Gail Mancuso	September 19, 1996
			Ross's secret fantasy doesn't stay secret for long after he confides in Rachel. Chandler begins to rekindle his relationship with ex-girlfriend Janice.
2	50		"The One Where No One's Ready"	Ira Ungerleider	Gail Mancuso	September 26, 1996
			Ross gets riled when his friends fail to be ready on time for a museum fundraiser where he's giving a speech.
3	51		"The One With The Jam"	Wil Calhoun	Kevin S. Bright	October 3, 1996
			Monica becomes obsessed with making jam as a means of getting over Richard. Still feeling unfulfilled, she decides she wants to having a baby and visits a sperm bank.
4	52		"The One With The Metaphorical Tunnel"	Alexa Junge	Steve Zuckerman	October 10, 1996
			Ross and Rachel encourage Chandler to "go through the tunnel" and commit to Janice. Ross worries when his son plays with a girl's doll and tries frantically to substitute masculine toys.
5	53		"The One With Frank Jr."	Scott Silveri & Shana Goldberg-Meehan	Steve Zuckerman	October 17, 1996
			Phoebe invited her half-brother Frank Jr. to visit. Ross makes a list of famous women he'd like to date.
6	54		"The One With The Flashback"	Marta Kauffman & David Crane	Peter Bonerz	October 31, 1996
			After Janice asks whether they've ever dated each other, the friends reminisce about a time three years ago and some dark secrets are revealed.
7	55		"The One With The Race Car Bed"	Seth Kurland	Gail Mancuso	November 7, 1996
			When returning a misdelivered bed back to the store, Monica and Joey catch Janice passionately kissing her ex-husband in the back room.
8	56		"The One With The Giant Poking Device"	Adam Chase	Gail Mancuso	November 14, 1996
			When Phoebe believes she's killed the ugly naked guy across the street from Rachel and Monica, Joey constructs a long poking device. Chandler confronts Janice.
9	57		"The One With The Football"	Ira Ungerleider	Kevin S. Bright	November 21, 1996
			It's Thanksgiving and the friends start a game of football that reveals some major rivalries and prods a rematch that has serious implications for the roast turkey!
10	58		"The One Where Rachel Quits"	Michael Curtis & Greg Malins	Terry Hughes	December 12, 1996
			After quitting her Central Perk gig, Rachel worries she'll be jobless long-term. Joey's job selling Christmas trees upsets Phoebe, who becomes distressed over leftover trees.
11	59		"The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister"	Alexa Junge	Terry Hughes	January 9, 1997
			A handsome stranger offers Rachel a fashion-buying job. Chandler forgets which of Joey's sisters he fooled around with after getting drunk at Joey's birthday.
12	60		"The One With All The Jealousy"	Doty Abrams	Robby Benson	January 16, 1997
			Ross becomes obsessively jealous of Rachel's sexy new co-worker Mark and is convinced he is flirting with Rachel. Monica is smitten with a sexy busboy.
13	61		"The One Where Monica & Richard Are Friends"	Michael Borkow	Robby Benson	January 30, 1997
			Monica and ex-boyfriend Richard meet by chance - and the lunch they go to leads to something more.
14	62		"The One With Phoebe's Ex-Partner"	Wil Calhoun	Robby Benson	February 6, 1997
			Phoebe's ex-singing partner Leslie wants to use Smelly Cat for a cat-litter ad. Chandler dates a beautiful woman with an artificial leg... and a tie to Joey.
15	63		"The One Where Ross & Rachel Take A Break"	Michael Borkow	James Burrows	February 13, 1997
			Ross and Rachel decide to go on a break. Phoebe becomes involved with a foreign diplomat.
16	64		"The One With The Morning After"	Marta Kauffman & David Crane	James Burrows	February 20, 1997
			Unaware of Ross's one-night stand with another woman, Rachel visits him to declare her undying love.
17	65		"The One Without The Ski Trip"	Scott Silveri & Shana Goldberg-Meehan	Sam Simon	March 6, 1997
			Rachel asks everyone to go on a ski trip... except Ross. Chandler is particularly traumatized by the Ross/Rachel breakup, which reminds him of his parents' divorce.
18	66		"The One With The Hypnosis Tape"	Seth Kurland	Robby Benson	March 13, 1997
			Chandler uses a hypnosis tape to quit smoking. Unbeknownst to him, it's aimed only at women. Phoebe freaks when her brother wants to wed a woman twice his age.
19	67		"The One With The Tiny T-Shirt"	Adam Chase	Terry Hughes	March 27, 1997
			Ross is upset when Rachel returns his belongings. Monica dates a millionaire she considers funny, nice and yet not quite her dream man.
20	68		"The One With The Dollhouse"	Wil Calhoun	Terry Hughes	April 10, 1997
			Monica inherits an exquisite dollhouse from her aunt. Joey winds up in bed with his leading lady. Rachel's boss dates Chandler.
21	69		"The One With A Chick And A Duck"	Chris Brown	Michael Lembeck	April 17, 1997
			Monica is ecstatic when her millionaire friend Pete buys a restaurant and wants her as head chef. Joey buys Chandler a chick - a live baby chicken and later a live duck.
22	70		"The One With The Screamer"	Scott Silveri & Shana Goldberg-Meehan	Peter Bonerz	April 24, 1997
			Joey's play gets terrible reviews. Ross tries to convince Rachel her date is psychotic.
23	71		"The One With Ross' Thing"	Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen	Shelley Jensen	May 1, 1997
			Ross discovers a strange growth on his buttocks. Phoebe dates a firefighter and a teacher.
24	72		"The One With The Ultimate Fighting Champion"	Teleplay by Scott Silveri & Shana Goldberg-Meehan, Story by Mark J. Kunerth & Pang-Ni Landrum	Robby Benson	May 8, 1997
			Monica begs Pete to stop fighting after he is beaten up. Chandler is unnerved when his boss slaps his butt. Ross starts dating a new woman.
25	73		"The One At The Beach"	Teleplay by Adam Chase, Story by Mark J. Kunerth & Pang-Ni Landrum	Robby Benson	May 15, 1997
			Phoebe invites the group to her client's beach house. Rachel tricks Ross's new girlfriend into shaving her head.

<< Season 2		Season 3					Season 4 >>
#01	"The One With The Princess Leia Fantasy"		#10	"The One Where Rachel Quits"		#19	"The One With The Tiny T-Shirt"
#02	"The One Where No One's Ready"		#11	"The One Where Chandler Can't Remember Which Sister"		#20	"The One With The Dollhouse"
#03	"The One With The Jam"		#12	"The One With All The Jealousy"		#21	"The One With A Chick And A Duck"
#04	"The One With The Metaphorical Tunnel"		#13	"The One Where Monica And Richard Are Friends"		#22	"The One With The Screamer"
#05	"The One With Frank Jr."		#14	"The One With Phoebe's Ex-Partner"		#23	"The One With Ross' Thing"
#06	"The One With The Flashback"		#15	"The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break"		#24	"The One With The Ultimate Fighting Champion"
#07	"The One With The Race Car Bed"		#16	"The One With The Morning After"		#25	"The One At The Beach"
#08	"The One With The Giant Poking Device"		#17	"The One Without The Ski Trip"
#09	"The One With The Football"		#18	"The One With The Hypnosis Tape"